Articles
Helping the Next Generation
Joshua and his generation knew the Lord and witnessed the way He worked to force Pharaoh
to release them. They saw His care in the wilderness. Joshua’s generation remained true to His
will. But, they seem to have failed to tell the next generation of the Lord's powerful deliverance
(Judges 2:7-10).
The nations Israel failed to drive out were polytheists. They had no problem worshiping the
true God and their false gods at the same time. Israel was to forsake all other gods (Exodus 20:3;
Deut. 6:10-25; 13:6-18). Israel failed to see the danger. She is described as laying down to
prostitute herself with false gods (Judges 2:11-13). They committed spiritual fornication, sinning
against God, their husband (Hosea 2:2-13).
God had to punish such wickedness to remain righteous (Psalm 89:14). He delivered them
into the hands of enemies who took the spoils of their land (Judges 2:14-15). The Almighty did
not cease to love them. He sent judges to deliver them when He heard their groaning (Judges
2:16). They enjoyed the blessings of deliverance, but went right back into idolatry when the
judge died, which resulted in God being angry with them (Judges 2:17-19, 20-23).
We are blessed far beyond physical Israel (Ephesians 1:3). We should make it a point to
emphasize those blessings to our children (Ephesians 6:4). Teach them the will of God (2
Timothy 3:15). Help them recognize the blessings to be found in Christ. We must demonstrate
the love of God in all that we do. Pray our children will follow our example and not suffer the
wrath of God when He is spurned.
Gary C. Hampton
Siwell Road church of Christ
Jackson, MS
A Personal Note:
Thank you all for the 60th birthday well wishes and celebration! You all are very special to
Cathy and me. We are glad and honored to be part of such a loving and caring family. In spite of
my clumsy efforts, I pray that as I turn another year older, that it may be accompanied with a
better understanding of the work the Lord has in store for us in His kingdom, here in Monticello.
